Blueberry plant named ‘Plablue 1542’

ABSTRACT

Described is a new and distinct blueberry variety with varietal denomination ‘Plablue 1542’, characterized by a combination of traits which include, an upright plant growth habit, and very abundant production of large fruit-size, oblate shaped and very firm fruit. ‘Plablue 1542’ is a self-fertile variety.

Botanical classification: Vaccinium corymbosum L.

Variety denomination: The new plant has the varietal denomination‘Plablue 1542’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of European Community Plant VarietyOffice Application No. 2018/2072, for a blueberry variety named ‘Plablue1542,’ filed on Aug. 09, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND

Disclosed herein is a new and distinct southern highbush blueberryvariety (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). The varietal denomination of the newvariety is ‘Plablue 1542.’ The new variety of blueberry was created in abreeding program by crossing two parents; in particular, by crossing asseed parent an undistributed blueberry parent designated 14.027.001(unpatented) and as pollen parent an undistributed blueberry parentdesignated 14.049.001 (unpatented). Female and male are selections frombreeder's program of the applicant. Both parental varieties areproprietary and have not been commercialized.

The new variety was grown and asexually propagated by softwood cuttingsin Segovia, Spain, 3° 59′W., 41° 22′N., 2742 feet elevation. Clones ofthe new variety were further asexually propagated and extensivelytested. This propagation and testing has demonstrated that thecombination of traits disclosed herein which characterize the newvariety are fixed and retained true to type through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

The growing period in Huelva, Spain, where the observations on primocaneproduction were made, is between about November 20 and June 22 of thefollowing year.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct southern highbushblueberry variety. The varietal denomination of the new variety is‘Plablue 1542’, that produces and maintains a weak vigorous plant withconsistent fruit production from beginning February through middle June.Among the characteristics which appear to distinguish the new varietyfrom other varieties are a combination of traits which include anupright plant growth habit, and very abundant production of largefruit-size, oblate shaped and very firm fruit.

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Plablue 1542’ has not been observedunder all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may varysomewhat with variations in environmental and cultural practices such astemperature and light intensity without, however, any variance ingenotype.

COMPARISON TO THE PARENTS

The new variety is distinguished from its parents by the followingcharacteristics which are different than the seed parent designated‘14.027.001’ (unpatented) and the pollen parent designated ‘14.049.001’(unpatented).

Size of corolla tube in the flower of seed parent ‘14.027.001’(unpatented) is higher than in the flower of ‘Plablue 1542’.

Seed parent ‘14.027.001’ (unpatented) shows a medium fruit size, whereas‘Plablue 1542’ shows a large fruit size.

Seed parent ‘14.027.001’ (unpatented) shows a rounded fruit shape,whereas ‘Plablue 1542’ shows an oblated fruit shape.

Leaf of pollen parent ‘14.049.001’ (unpatented) shows a margin entire,whereas leaf of ‘Plablue 1542’ shows a margin serrate.

Pollen parent ‘14.049.001’ (unpatented) shows a short length ofinternode on one-year-old shoot, whereas ‘Plablue 1542’ shows a longlength.

COMPARISON TO CLOSEST VARIETY

The new variety is closest to the variety ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented), but isdistinguished therefrom by the following characteristics which aredifferent than ‘Biloxi’.

Plant of ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) exhibits a semi upright grow habit,whereas the plant of ‘Plablue 1542’ exhibits an upright growth habit.

Length of the leaf of ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) is shorter than length ofthe leaf of ‘Plablue 1542’ and width of the leaf of ‘Biloxi’(unpatented) is narrower than the leaf of ‘Plablue 1542’.

Length of inflorescence of ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) is shorter than lengthof inflorescence of ‘Plablue 1542’.

Density of fruit cluster of ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) is higher than densityof fruit cluster of ‘Plablue 1542’.

Fruit size of ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) is medium and shows a soft firmness,whereas in ‘Plablue 1542’ fruit size is large and is very firm.

Time of beginning of flowering on one-year-old shoot of ‘Biloxi’(unpatented) is less early than in ‘Plablue 1542’.

Time of beginning of fruit ripening on one-year-old shoot of ‘Biloxi’(unpatented) is less early than in ‘Plablue 1542’.

Differences in grow habit of ‘Plablue 1542’ (designated 15.09.003) and‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) are shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 13. Differences inlength and width of leaf of ‘Plablue 1542’ (designated 15.09.003) and‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) are shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 14. Differences indensity of fruit cluster of ‘Plablue 1542’ (designated 15.09.003) and‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) are shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 6 and FIG. 15.Differences in fruit size of ‘Plablue 1542’ (designated 15.09.003) and‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) are shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 16. These differencesare maintained during the harvest season.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety,designated 15.09.003 in the illustrations, including fruit, foliage andflower, in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make incolor illustrations of this character.

The plants depicted in the drawings were planted October 14 in the farmof La Mogalla in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain, about 7° W, 37° N, 45 feetelevation.

Drawings/photographs were taken in April (about April 4 and April 12):minimum temperate about 7° to 9° Centigrade, maximum temperate about 18to 22° Centigrade.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show several plants of the new variety (designated15.09.003) which exhibit a upright habit plant with several clusters ofviolet-blue color fruit (RHS Violet-Blue group color near 97 D to 97 C)with wax and oblated shape fruits.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the upper side and the underside, respectively,of a complete leave of the new variety (designated 15.09.003). In it, wecan see that the leaf color of upper side of the new variety (designated15.09.003) is a green color (RHS Green group near 143 B to 143 A) andthe leaf color of underside of the new variety (designated 15.09.003) isa yellow-green color (RHS Yellow-Green group color near 144 B to 144 A).

FIG. 5 shows an immature flower of the new variety (designated15.09.003). In it, we can see the immature flower has a red color (RHSRed group color near 54 C to 54 B).

FIG. 6 shows a typical cluster with flowers of the new variety(designated 15.09.003).

FIG. 7 shows corolla of the new variety (designated 15.09.003) withwhite color (RHS White group color near 155 B to 155 A) andgreyed-orange color anthers (RHS Greyed-Orange group color near 165 B to165 A).

FIG. 8 shows typical sepals of the new variety (designated 15.09.003)with yellow-green color (RHS Yellow-Green group color near 144 D to 144C).

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show typical fruits of the new variety (designated15.09.003) with oblate shape and violet-blue color with wax (RHSViolet-Blue group color near 97 D to 97 C).

FIG. 11 shows typical sliced fruits of the new variety (designated15.09.003) with yellow-green flesh color (RHS Yellow-Green group colornear 149 D to 149 C).

FIG. 12 shows typical seeds of the new variety (designated 15.07.018)with greyed-orange color (RHS Greyed-Orange group color near 165 C to165 B).

FIG. 13 shows several plants of the blueberry variety ‘Biloxi’(unpatented) which exhibits a semi upright habit.

FIG. 14 shows the leaf of blueberry variety ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented)shorter and narrower than the leaf of the new variety (designated15.09.003).

FIG. 15 shows the density of fruit cluster of ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented)which is higher than density of fruit cluster of the new variety(designated 15.09.003).

FIG. 16 shows fruits of blueberry variety ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) whichexhibits a fruit size smaller than the fruit of the new variety(designated 15.09.003).

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description of the new variety is based uponobservations taken of plants and fruits grown “underglass”, i.e.undertunnel, in the farm of La Mogalla in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain, 7°W., 37° N., 45 feet elevation.

The following description is in accordance with UPOV terminology and thecolor teminology herein is in accordance with The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart (R.H.S.C.C.), 3^(rd) edition published in 1995. Thecolor descriptions and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate fromthe stated values and descriptions depending upon variation inenvironmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions.

PROPAGATION

The new variety is principally propagated by softwood cuttings. Althoughpropagation by softwood cuttings is presently preferred, other knowmethods of propagating blueberry plants may be used.

Blueberry root and develop well after transplanting.

GENERAL

‘Plablue 1542’ is propagated by softwood cuttings. It is a variety withfruit production from beginning February through middle June. It is aself-fertile variety. It produces large quantities of pollen throughoutthe seasons and pollination is good.

Production: Plants described are from a high elevation nursery inSegovia, Spain, 3° 59′W., 41° 22′N., 2742 feet elevation.

Trials pursued in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain.

-   -   Date of planting: 14th October.    -   Number of repetitions: 2    -   Plants per repetition: 50

TABLE 1 Table 1 shows the accumulated production of fruit (g/plant) ofthe new variety ‘Plablue 1542’ when compared to its closest varieties‘Biloxi’ and ‘Star’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,675). Variety February 27March 31 April 30 June 22 Plablue 1542 711.00 2099.00 3127.00 5290.00Biloxi 191.67 477.33 905.33 2850.00 Star 0.00 757.67 1781.73. 1803.10

TABLE 2 Table 2 shows the weight (g/fruit) at three dates of the newvariety ‘Plablue 1542’ when compared to its closest varieties ‘Biloxi’and ‘Star’. Variety March 31 April 30 June 22 Plablue 1542 22.00 22.0018.00 Legacy 16.00 14.00 14.00 Star 18.00 18.00 17.00 **Weight is shownas the average weight per fruit

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following additional information is provided to further describe thenew variety.

-   -   Variety: ‘Plablue 1542’. Breeder Ref. 15.09.003    -   Latin name: Vaccinium corymbosum L.    -   Common name: Southern highbush blueberry    -   Plants are growing in containers of 45 liters of capacity.

-   Plant:    -   -   Habit.—Upright.        -   Vigor.—Weak.        -   Height of plant.—About 1.90 m.        -   Canopy diameter.—About 1.60 m.        -   Twigginess.—Medium.        -   Suckering.—Low.        -   Evergreenness.—Evergreen.        -   Chilling requirement.—Approximately 100-200 hour at            temperatures at or below 7° C.        -   Cold hardiness.—Has not been grown in all environments            including harsh winter environments. Cold tolerance is            expected to be low.

-   Trunk and branches:    -   -   Surface texture new wood.—Smooth.        -   Surface texture 1 year wood.—Smooth.        -   Surface texture 2 years and older wood.—Rough.        -   Diameter new wood.—About 6.0 to 7.0 mm.        -   Diameter 1 year wood.—About 10.0 to 11.0 mm.        -   Diameter 2 years old wood.—About 17.5 to 19.0 mm.        -   Color.—New wood about yellow-green color (RHS Yellow-Green            group color near 144C to 144 B) transitioning to about            greyed-orange color (RHS Greyed-Orange group color near 177            B to 177 A) in about 2 year old wood.

-   Leaf:    -   -   Internode length.—About 16.5 to 21.5 mm.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate simple.        -   Length.—About 7.5 to 8.0 cm.        -   Width.—About 4.0 to 4.5 cm.        -   Leaf shape.—Elliptic.        -   Shape of tip.—Acute.        -   Shape of base.—Obtuse.        -   Shape of margin.—Serrate.        -   Venation pattern.—Reticulate.        -   Mature leaf color upperside.—RHS Green group color near 143            B to 143 A.        -   Mature leaf color underside.—RHS Yellow-Green group color            near 144 B to 144 A.        -   Pubescence upper leaf surface.—Absent.        -   Pubescence under leaf surface.—Absent.        -   Pubescence leaf margin.—Absent.        -   Precocity.—New vegetative growth before flowering.

-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—About 3.5 to 4.5 mm.        -   Width (diameter).—About 1.0 to 2.0 mm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green group color near 145 B to 145 A.

-   Flower:    -   -   Flower arrangement.—Compound raceme. Clusters at the end of            branches.        -   Flower shape.—Urceolate.        -   Flowers per cluster.—About 7 to 8.        -   Flower fragrance.—Faint. Sweet.        -   Immature flower color.—RHS Red group color near 54 C to 54            B.        -   Corolla.—Length: About 9.0 to 10.0 mm. Diameter: About 7.0            to 8.0 mm. Aperture width: About 4.0 to 5.0 mm. Color: RHS            White group color near 155 B to 155 A. Texture: Smooth.        -   Peduncle.—Length: About 14.0 to 14.5 mm. Color: RHS            Yellow-Green group color near 144 C to 144 B.        -   Pedicel.—Length: About 12.0 to 12.5 mm. Color: RHS            Yellow-Green group color near 144 C to 144 B. Calyx (with            sepals) Diameter: 6.5 to 8.0 mm. Calyx texture: Smooth.            Color center of calyx: RHS Yellow-Green group color near 146            D to 146 C. Color sepals: RHS Yellow-Green group color near            144 D to 144 C. Attitude of sepals: Erect. Type of sepals:            Reflexed.        -   Stamen.—Length: About 4.5 to 5.0 mm. Number per flower:            About 10 to 11. Filament color: RHS Yellow-Green group color            near 145 D to 145 C.        -   Style.—Length: About 6.9 to 7.3 mm. Color: RHS Yellow-Green            group color near 145 C to 145 B.        -   Pistil.—Length: About 8.3 to 8.7 mm. Ovary color: RHS            Yellow-Green group color near 145 D to 145 C.        -   Anther.—Length: About 3.0 to 3.5 mm. Number: About 10 to 11.            Color: RHS Greyed-Orange group color near 165 B to 165 A.        -   Pollen.—Abundance: Medium. Color: RHS Yellow-Orange group            color near 20 C to 20 B.        -   Self-compatibility.—The cultivar has demonstrated a high            degree of self-compatibility.

-   Fruit:    -   -   Fruiting type.—On one-year-old and current season's shoots.        -   Calyx aperture.—About 7.0 to 9.0 mm.        -   Calyx lobes.—About 4 to 5 lobes.        -   Calyx depth.—About 2.5 to 3.0 mm.        -   Pedicel length.—About 9.5 to 10.0 mm.        -   Pedicel surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Peduncle length.—About 10.0 to 11.0 mm.        -   Peduncle surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Berries per cluster.—About 7 to 8.        -   Berry detachment.—Easy.        -   Weight.—About 18 to 22 grs.        -   Height.—About 14.0 to 15.0 mm.        -   Width.—About 24.0 to 26.0 mm.        -   Shape.—Oblate.        -   Color with wax.—RHS Violet-Blue group color near 97 D to 97            C.        -   Color with wax removed.—RHS Black group color near 202 A.        -   Wax.—Persistent wax.        -   Surface wax abundance.—Moderate.        -   Flesh color.—RHS Yellow-Green group color near 149 D to 149            C.        -   Pedicel scar.—About 0.9 to 1.2 mm.        -   Firmness.—1.0 Kg. Firmness: It is the fruit's resistance to            penetration measured in Kilograms (Kg). The measure given            has been obtained by penetrometer ROZE Mod. Arbelette, with            a 20 mm² section ahead.        -   Texture of flesh.—Crisp and juicy.

-   Seed:    -   -   Color.—RHS Greyed-Orange group color near 165 C to 165 B.        -   Length.—About 1.5 to 2.5 mm.        -   Width.—About 0.90 to 1.0 mm.        -   Weight.—About 0.3 to 0.4 mg.        -   Seeds per berry.—About 10 to 12.

General: The growing period in Huelva, Spain, where the observations onprimocane production were made, is between about November 20 and June 22of the following year. ‘Plablue 1542’ is a blueberry variety thatbenefits from induction to flowering by chilling, usually a few hours(approximately 100-200 hours) are sufficient, preferably at temperaturesof 7° C. or less. Normally, the minimum number of hours is accumulatedin the field during several days. ‘Plablue 1542’ is a variety withconsistent fruit production beginning in on first days of February andending at the middle of June. After planting as aforesaid, plants aregrown in containers under tunnel. Water and fertilizer were appliedthrough drip irrigation.

Date of planting: About October 15 in the farm of La Mogalla, in Cartaya(Huelva), Spain, about 7° W, 37° N, 45 feet elevation. Time of floweringdata: 10% flowering about October 15. First mature fruits are aboutFebruary 6 (15-20 g/plant), with a maximum production at the beginningof May.

Storage Qualities: ‘Plablue 1542’ fruit maintains their qualitycharacteristics when keeping them in a frigo chamber at temperatures ofabout 2° C. for a duration of about 30 days. The fruit's color remainssubstantially the same. Shelf life of ‘Plablue 1542’ is good.

Use/market: The berries of ‘Plablue 1542’ are suitable for consumptionas fresh fruit. Also, they are amenable to processing.

Disease resistance: No particular sensitivity to any disease or pest hasbeen observed for ‘Plablue 1542’

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct blueberry plant of the varietysubstantially as shown and described.